Wallie Smith can feel the pain. He goes to the hospital, remembers the doctors and the commotion, but when he wakes up it all seems like a dream. However, if that was a dream how do you explain waking up in another body and in another world? Little Wallie finds himself in the physique of a barbarian swordsman, accompanied by both an eccentric priest babbling about the Goddess and a voluptuous slave girl. Is this a rude awakening or a dream come true?

The Coming of Wisdom

The Goddess had rescued Wallie Smith from certain death, endowed him with a magnificent new body, and gifted him with the legendary Sapphire Sword of Chioxin. She asked only one service in return...So Wallie became the Goddess' champion -- and promptly found himself on the losing side in a battle against magics far beyond any the priests of the Goddess could hope to summon.

The Destiny of the Sword

Wallie Smith had been dying on another world when the Goddess transferred his mind to the body of the barbarian swordsman Shonsu. Then She gave him the great, magical Sapphire Sword of Chioxin and sent him on a mission. All he had to do was to lead the arrogant band of swordsmen to destroy the sorcerers and their Fire God. Now Wallie discovered that he'd already tried it - and been hopelessly defeated.

The Death of Nnanji

For 15 years the truce has held. Swordsmen of the Tryst of Casr have kept the peace and extended the rule of law over half the World, but now sorcerers have started killing swordsmen again, and swordsmen traitors are aiding them. Shonsu-who was Wallie Smith before he became a swordsman of the seventh rank and liege lord of the Tryst-must once more gird on the seventh sword of Chioxin, and this time he rides out to fight the war that he hoped would never come.

The Living God: Part Four of A Handful of Men

The sorcerer Zinixo had declared himself the Almighty. Now goblin hordes ravish the Impire. Dragons incinerate entire legions. And the slave-sorcerers of the Covin practice whatever barbarities Zinixo requires. It is only a matter of time before the mad Zinixo is almighty in fact as well as name - unless Rap of Krasnegar can conjure up a miracle.

The Cutting Edge: Part One of A Handful of Men

Beautiful Queen Inos married the loyal stableboy Rap and made him her king. They were very much in love, and they lived happily ever after. Fifteen years went by. Rap and Inos were comfortable, secure, and truly happy, raising their family in the little backwater kingdom of Krasnegar, well removed from the hurly-burly of great affairs.... But in far-off Hub, the old Imperor's health - and, some said, his sanity - deteriorated inexorably. The borderlands were seething....

Magic Casement: A Man of His Word, Book 1

Princess Inos lived an idyllic life in her fathers' sleepy, backwater kingdom, and she was best friends with her childhood companion, the stableboy, Rap. But when a prophecy seemed to say Inos should be married, she was exiled to the Impire to learn to be a lady. She was far away when Rap's magical talents began to emerge, and it was he who told her of the fate awaiting them both.

Upland Outlaws: Part Two of A Handful of Men

The old Imperor was dead at last. His popular soldier grandson, known as Shandie, had succeeded him... Hadn't he? No, he hadn't. The man who sat the opal throne was not Shandie, but an illusion created by the mad dwarf, Xinixo. Year after year he had stealthily been enchanting sorcerers, turning them into loyal minions. Now, wielding their combined power, he was irresistible. He ruled the Impire, so he ruled the world. He would continue to rule it for centuries.

The Stricken Field: Part Three of A Handful of Men

Paranoid but almighty, the sorcerer Xinixo had seized control of the Impire. But ruling the imps and most of the world was not enough. He would never feel safe until he was universally loved, so he would smash everything and then rebuild the whole world in his own insane image. Who could resist him? King Rap of Krasnegar and Shandie, the rightful Imperor, were still at large and determined to resist the evil, however slender their chances. Their one, faint hope was to enlist the help of the remaining free sorcerers of the world, those not already spellbound by Xinixo.

Emperor and Clown: A Man of His Word, Book 4

The loyal stableboy Rap had fought through hell and high water to rescue Inos, his queen. But once he did, he found that she had already married the accursed Sultan Azak, who had despoiled her beauty. As Inos follows her destiny, and Azak his, Rap awaits his fate at the hands of torturers....

Faery Lands Forlorn: A Man of His Word, Book 2

Inos, the late king's daughter, had been kidnapped through the magic casement even as the Impish legions overrunning her tiny kingdom were storming the castle tower. Now she was a prisoner in a desert land ruled by a dockside whore with a talent for magic and a passion for politics. She little dreamed that the loyal stableboy Rap had jumped through the casement after her. But no one really knew how the magic worked, and Rap found himself not in a desert, but in the steaming jungles of Faerie....

Perilous Seas: A Man of His Word, Book 3

Queen Inos was badly shaken. Loyal, trustworthy Rap, who was supposed to have died, appeared to her. With this as a sign, Inos knew that she would serve her people, no matter what. But Rap was alive, and he would do whatever he could to help, even as his life took a turn for the worse....

King of Swords: The Starfolk, Book 1

Rigel has always known he is not quite human, but the only clue to his origin is the otherworldly bracelet he has worn since childhood. His search for his parentage leads him to the Starlands, where reality and fantasy have changed places. There he learns that he is a human-starborn cross, and his bracelet is the legendary magical amulet Saiph, which makes its wearer an unbeatable swordsman.

Elseerian: The Chronicles of Lumineia, Book 1

The assassination of heroes was once a warning... for an invasion that nearly destroyed the world. Nations were slaughtered, cities were erased from existence, and defending armies were crushed into oblivion. In weeks, all life stood on the verge of extinction. But the end did not come. Instead the black horde vanished, leaving terrified survivors... and rumors. As the centuries passed the holocaust faded into legend, and finally myth. Across the southern sea a gifted young man is completing his training.

Queen of Stars: The Starfolk, Book 2

Rigel has found a new home and new love in the Starlands, the magical realm responsible for his half-human, half-elfin heritage. But despite ridding the kingdom of horrific monsters and using his unequaled swordsmanship to help a new queen ascend to the throne, he has no time to savor these early victories.

The Godling Chronicles: The Sword of Truth, Book 1

Darkness comes as a new power rises in Angrääl. The Dark Knight has betrayed the Gods and stolen The Sword of Truth, trapping them in heaven. With the power of the Sword he can reshape the world and bring death to all who oppose him. Only one thing stands between the darkness and the light. Gewey Stedding. Only he has the power to stand against the oncoming storm. Only he can mend the world. But only if he can discover his power....

Element Wielder: Void Wielder Trilogy, Volume 1

Falcon Hyatt has a problem. For reasons unknown to him, he can wield all the elements, not only basics like fire and water but also those more advanced, like space and poison. Now the chaos element, the same one his parents' killer, Shal-Volcseck, wields, has awakened within him, with catastrophic results. To complicate matters, the Suteckh Empire has declared war on the capital cities of Va'siel. Now he must venture out into the world with his friends, Lao, Faith, and Aya, on a mission to stop the Suteckh from taking over Va'siel, and find his parents' killer.

Hunt of the Bandham: The Bowl of Souls, Book 3

Ewzad Vriil's keep has fallen and Justan has been reunited with his friends. Justan's bonds with Fist and Gwyrtha have made him stronger and faster, but the more he learns about his powers, the more questions he has. Meanwhile, the kingdom remains in turmoil. The mother of the moonrats still builds the Dark Prophet's army of monsters in the mountains, and the Battle Academy forces are weakened.

The Dragon Healer of Tone: World of Tone: Book 1

The Dragon Healer of Tone is anepic fantasy about the life of Terra, the human whose fate is tied to the Dragon World of Tone's future. Many seasons ago, a great wizard started a war that drove the humans to the misty valleys along the coast. Terra was the first male born with the magic of healing for hundreds of sets of seasons. He is the hope of the world, even though few know of his existence. As a child, he was taken from his family and was raised by the great coastal dragons. Only the dragons and a few others that have been awaiting his birth know of him and his powers. Even they have no idea of the enormous capabilities he possesses.

Heroes Die: The First of the Acts of Caine

Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana as the Blade of Tyshalle, Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, simply the best there is at what he does. At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions.

The Dragon's Path: Dagger and Coin, Book 1

Popular author Daniel Abraham’s works have been nominated for the Hugo Award and the World Fantasy Award. In The Dragon’s Path, former soldier Marcus is now a mercenary—but he wants nothing to do with the coming war. So instead of fighting, he elects to guard a caravan carrying the wealth of a nation out of the war zone—with the assistance of an unusual orphan girl named Cithrin.

Against the Light

The Hierarchy, high priests of the religious order the Light, rules both the magical kingdom of Albi and its religion. Worshippers in the old ways of the Earth Mother, clandestinely scattered throughout the land, are persecuted as heretics. And when missionary student Rollo Woodbridge returns to his home in Albi, he is arrested for heresy and treason, setting off a chain of events that puts everyone’s life in jeopardy and plunges the kingdom into chaos.

Thieftaker: Thieftaker Chronicles, Book 1

Boston, 1765: In D.B. Jackson's Thieftaker, revolution is brewing as the British Crown imposes increasingly onerous taxes on the colonies, and intrigue swirls around firebrands like Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. But for Ethan Kaille, a thieftaker who makes his living by conjuring spells that help him solve crimes, politics is for others…until he is asked to recover a necklace worn by the murdered daughter of a prominent family.

Dragonsbane

When the Black Dragon seized the Deep of Ylferdun, young Gareth braved the far Winterlands to find John Aversin, Dragonsbane - the only living man ever to slay a dragon. In return for the promise of the King to send help to the Winterlands, Aversin agreed to attempt the nearly impossible feat again.With them, to guard them on the haunted trip south, went Jenny Waynest, a half-taught sorceress and mother of Aversin's sons.But at the decadent Court, nothing was as expected. Rebellion threatened the land.

Publisher's Summary

Wallie Smith can feel the pain. He goes to the hospital, remembers the doctors and the commotion, but when he wakes up it all seems like a dream. However, if that was a dream how do you explain waking up in another body and in another world? Little Wallie finds himself in the physique of a barbarian swordsman, accompanied by both an eccentric priest babbling about the Goddess and a voluptuous slave girl. Is this a rude awakening or a dream come true?

What in the world will Wallie do now that he's found himself stranded in a strange realm? Well it just so happens that the Goddess is in need of a swordsman. It won't be easy but if he succeeds he will have everything he wants. If he doesn't, things could get ugly.

Wallie is reluctant but sees his chance. If only he had the faintest clue as to the adventure he is about to unleash! If only he could imagine the forces that will be out to vanquish him!

The plot was straight-forward, easy to follow, and was enjoyable to listen to.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for an enjoyable story, you might like this one. It is not full of intrigue, or complicated, or full of politics. It is a simply story, simply told. Having said that, I would say that I enjoyed listening, both to this book, and to the following two books in the series. The story isn't complicated; It doesn't arrive at the end you would think it will come to from the beginning, but the ending was not terrible either. All in all, I enjoyed listening to it.

Before you decide, though, please find out what other reviewers think. All things aren't for everyone. I always like recommending that the reader considers other reviews before deciding.

I say its mediocre depending on taste because I tend to lean toward more graphic novels with gritty characters. This book has a character with scruples & that plays a part in the overall book. I don't think I will end up reading the other 3 books after this because I'm in the Cornwell, Martin, Ambercrombie type of violence & character depiction. I will give KUDOS to the author writing a enjoyable book while avoiding mass violence (considering everyone is running around with swords) & the language is not vulgar at all... from a literary standpoint Duncan didn't need to add any of that extra descriptions to make the book better, although I think that most books that take place during the time when archaic weapons were used (swords, axes, etc....) should be relatively graphic is coarse because before the invention of guns, pulling a trigger is much different than taking a battle axe to someones head or a sword causing real life problems during large battles... like bodies & blood lol

The book was not bad, not necessarily in my category of more than medicore but like I said before, it could be great for those readers who appreciate the ability to write an interesting story without needing to use the 'extra's' I mentioned above

This is the first book in a series that takes you through a world of swords and sorcerers that is well thought out, with characters that grow on you. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but felt the pace moved a bit slow.

Without giving away any spoilers, by the start of the second book I was seeing some obvious plot points that took the characters in the story the entire volume to recognize as important. I am not sure I have the patience to wade through the third volume to see how it all ends.

Donald Corren does a great job with the narration.

If you are a fan of the "swords and sorcerers" genera, you will probably enjoy this series of books.

I strongly suspect that this is a rewrite of some ancient Incan story, mixed with the book of jobe,with a pinch of fantasy soul translocation. Well written and a whole lot of fun. I have to get up tomorrow at 5.30am, it is now 11pm and I am downloading the next book. Don't you just hate those sort of authors. Elol

I thought that the basic idea for the story was a good one and fairly original. I just felt that there was a lot more that could be done with that idea. I'll not put any spoilers in here, but I have to say that with Wally's old memories and talents, he should have figured things out much faster. I'm speaking of the entire series here, but even in the first book there weree things a person from our world should have been able to sort out on their own. In the second boook, I figured out what was going on and I don't even have the chemical background that Wally does. There seemed to be some plot holes that Duncan could have filled in with a little more thought and effort.

Was The Reluctant Swordsman worth the listening time?

I think so. Despite it's flaws it is still a good story. It is fun and fresh and exciting. If you have a credit you're looking o burn, go ahead and pick it up.

I'd only get another if I heard good things, read a good book in that series. But I'd only get another book in this series if it was on special discount.

What could Dave Duncan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Actually have the adventure begin. The whole first book is the action I would expect in the first act of any adventure book. The whole thing was all about the hero preparing to leave and ended with him finally leaving.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator was actually pretty good, I just don't think this particular book was good enough material.

I read the reviews on this book and I got a good feeling for the series. I am always reluctant to speak against some of the reviewers I follow. After all I follow them because they seem to like the same book choices I do. I have to say though this time the reviews were wrong.

Dave Duncan did not build the characters or the world at all. The opening goes like this, in todays time a man named Smith dies. Three chapters later you find out that the dead guy was sharing the body of a Swordsman. There is very little character building for Mr. Smith/Swordsman. The swordsman had also died so that Mr. Smith could take over his body. A small god then gave Mr. Smith all the knowledge he needed to be a master swordsman. Poof there you go. I am a big believer in knowledge about the characters. Part of my enjoyment is deciding if a character would make a certian decision or not. If the author fails to develop the characters personality, I do not know enough to make that call. I love the story line itself but I did not like where the author went with the story.

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